Publishers' Department by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 4, 1879

Publishers' Department.

By Editor

“Not slothful in business.” Rom. 12:11.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

A prompt notice under this head of all books received, giving title, the name of the author and of the publisher, and the price, when known, will be considered by us as an equivalent to the publishers for the same. A more extended notice may be given whenever we consider that the interests of our readers would be subserved thereby.

“Astronomical Etiology, or Star Prophecies concerning Coming Disasters on the earth from 1881–1885. By M. L. Knapp, M. D., and others.” Thomas Wilson, Publisher, Chicago, Ill., Price 25 cts. The first 47 pages of this book contain a paper from Dr. Knapp arguing that the perihelia of the great planets will cause unparalleled pestilence, disease, and convulsions of nature, on this earth, from 1881–1885. Then follows an Essay by Prof. E. Colbert, of Chicago, denouncing the theory as absurd. And finally some direful predictions are given from an ancient Danish writer, Peter Hansen, pertaining to the same time. He wrote over 250 years ago, and based his predictions on astrology, which has so long been considered one of the great, but now happily exploded, superstitions of the past. While we look for “a time of trouble such as never was” soon to come on the earth, we are obliged to dissent from that theory which attributes this to the perihelia of the planets. We look for this trouble, which is to culminate in the second coming of Christ, not from the influence of the stars, but because prophecy has declared it. The perihelia of all the planets in the universe about their respective suns, would not bring Christ from Heaven to this earth, were there not some power involved other than these influences, and had he not some purpose to perform besides the ordinary operations of nature. We have no doubt events will apparently justify the theory of the perihelionists; but we fear that many will be led by their claim to regard as merely the operation of natural laws, those occurrences which are the direct judgments of God, and so the moral effect of these calamities upon them be lost; for some will learn righteousness when the judgments of God are abroad in the earth, if they know them to be such. Isa. 26:9. If this shall be the effect, the promulgation of such a theory is to be deprecated.

The P. O. address of I. and H. T. H. Sanborn will be Mt. Jackson, Shenandoah Co., Va., till further notice.

The address of Eld. J. N. Loughborough is “Ravenswood,” Shirley Road, Southampton, England.

Notice of expiration of subscription will be given by special stamp on the margin of the paper. We should be pleased to receive your renewal at once.

NOTICE.—The change of figures on the address labels will be in all cases a sufficient receipt for money sent for the paper. If these changes do not in due time appear, and if books ordered by mail are not received, notice should be given. All other business is acknowledged below.

Books Sent by Express.

S Sharp $19.05, O A Johnson 17.60, E B Lane 22.40, T M Steward 2.28, G W Colcord 16.67.

Cash Rec'd on Account.

James Sawyer $5.00, Lovina Shackford 1.03, Owen & Kellogg 9.01, Cal T & M Society per Signs of the Times 80.00, C A Washburn 10.00, Gen S S Association Bowling Green per W C White 1.28, American Health and Temperance Association per Wm Beebe 24.00, T M Steward per C Green 5.00.

Mich. T. & M. Society.

Dist 8 per E S Griggs $20.00, Dist 14 per Geo Masters 1.70, Dist 2 per E P Giles 1.00.

Mich. Conf. Fund.

Romanda Burgess per Geo W Masters 2.02, Carson City per W R Evans 38.15.

Gen. Conf. Fund.

Ohio Conf tithe $49.59.